Depression self test

Please consider the following questions and rate how true each one is in relation to how you have been feeling lately (i.e. over the last two weeks) compared to how you usually or normally feel.

Depression self test

Please consider the following questions and rate how true each one is in relation to how you have been feeling lately (i.e. over the last two weeks) compared to how you usually or normally feel.

Please note that while great care has been taken with the development of this self-test, it is not intended to be a substitute for professional clinical advice. While the results of the self-test may be of assistance to you, users should always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions they have regarding their health.

Over the past two weeks how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems?

Depression self test

Questions

Not true

Slightly true

Moderately true

Very true

Little interest or pleasure in doing things

Not true

Slightly true

Moderately true

Very true

Feeling down, depressed or hopeless

Not true

Slightly true

Moderately true

Very true

Trouble falling or staying asleep or sleeping too much

Not true

Slightly true

Moderately true

Very true

Feeling tired or having little energy

Not true

Slightly true

Moderately true

Very true

Poor appetite or overeating

Not true

Slightly true

Moderately true

Very true

Feeling bad about yourself – that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down

Not true

Slightly true

Moderately true

Very true

Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television

Not true

Slightly true

Moderately true

Very true

Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed. Or the opposite – being so fidgety or restless that you have been moving around a lot more than usual

Your results

Normal (0 to 4)

Great work on completing the survey!

Looks like you are feeling well at the moment. However these surveys can never be 100% accurate so if this result doesn't fit how you are feeling at this time we strongly encourage you to speak with your GP.

Also, here are some tips for staying well.

Take time to enjoy, share interests, contribute and challenge yourself.

Every week plan and do activities you enjoy to keep your mind healthy. Do a crossword, take a walk in your local park, read a book, listen to music; the possibilities are endless!

You may even like to join a club or group of people who share your interests, such as a dance, theatre, choir or walking group or perhaps a book, sports or car club.

Volunteering for a cause that you care about or doing something nice for someone can help you feel good about yourself. You can also build confidence by learning a new skill or working towards a goal.

Why not try one of the above tips to keep your mind healthy this week!

Take care of yourself.

Physical and mental wellbeing are closely linked. It is easier to feel good about life if your body feels good. Regular exercise is scientifically proven to increase the health of your body and mind. Exercise includes all different kinds of things like gardening, cleaning, dancing, walking and swimming.

Combining regular physical activity with a balanced diet can keep you feeling good.

Get plenty of sleep as it is important for restoring your body and mind.

Lastly, avoid excessive use of alcohol and other drugs to keep your mind healthy.

Speak to yourself in a kind way.

Sometimes we can be very critical of ourselves without even knowing it. A good trick is to try to speak to yourself in your mind the way you would speak to someone you care about if they were having a tough time.

Remember be kind to yourself!

And don't forget if you ever feel really down or worried you can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Mild (5 to 9)

Great work on completing the survey!

Although this kind of survey is not always 100% accurate, it appears that you may have a couple of things on your mind at the moment.

This is the case for most people so why not have a chat to your doctor who will have some good ideas about how to help. When you do make an appointment, ask the receptionist for a long appointment to ensure you have plenty of time with your doctor to discuss how you are feeling.

The Black Dog Institute recommends

Monitoring your progress

To make the most of your visit to your GP, we recommend completing a daily mood chart.

At the same time each day use the chart by rating your level of mood and/or worries on a scale of 1-10, where 1 is the worst and 10 is the best. You may like to rate your mood and/or worry level in the morning and evening if there is significant variation during the day.

Getting help online

You can also monitor your mood and learn ways to manage your low mood or worries by signing up to an online program called myCompass. myCompass provides a personalised self-help program that you can use on your mobile phone, computer and/or tablet. It is free, you can use it at home in your own time, and has proven very helpful for people with low mood and/or worries.

Physical and mental wellbeing are closely linked; it is easier to feel good about life if your body feels good. There is now strong scientific evidence that regular exercise improves the health of your mind as well as your body. Exercise includes all different kinds of things like gardening, cleaning, dancing, walking and swimming.

Combining regular physical activity with a balanced diet with keep you feeling good.

Get plenty of sleep as it is important for restoring your body and mind.

Lastly, avoid excessive use of alcohol and other drugs to keep your mind healthy.

And don't forget if you ever feel really down or worried you can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Moderate (10 to 19)

Although this kind of survey is not always 100% accurate, it appears that you may have a few things on your mind at the moment.

This is the case for many people so the next step is to talk to your doctor or your mental health clinician who will have some good ideas about how to help.

The Black Dog Institute recommends

Booking an appointment

We strongly suggest you make an appointment to speak with your doctor and/or mental health clinician who will have some good ideas about how to help and can talk to you about ways to improve your wellbeing. When you make an appointment with your doctor, ask the receptionist for a long appointment to ensure you have plenty of time with your doctor to discuss how you are feeling. If you do not have a mental health clinician, your doctor can refer you to one. A mental health clinician such as a clinical psychologist can help you to learn skills and strategies to feel better.

Getting help online

In the meantime, you can learn ways to manage your mood and/or worries by signing up to an online program called myCompass. myCompass provides a personalised self-help program that you can use on your mobile phone, computer and/or tablet. It is a free, you can use it at home in your own time, and it has proven very helpful for people with low mood and/or worries.

To make the most of your visit to your GP and/or mental health clinician, we recommend monitoring your mood. You can do this via myCompass or by completing a daily mood chart.

If using our daily mood chart you should rate your level of mood and/or worries at the same time each day on a scale of 1-10, where 1 is the worst and 10 is the best. You may like to rate your mood and/or worry level in the morning and evening if there is a noticeable change during the day

And don't forget, if you ever feel really down or worried you can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Severe (20 to 27)

Great work on completing the survey!

Although this kind of screening is not always 100% accurate, it appears that you have quite a few things on your mind at the moment.

This is the case for many people and your GP or a mental health clinician such as a clinical psychologist and/or a psychiatrist can help. Remember that feelings change over time and there are a lot of strategies that your doctor can talk to you about that will make you feel better

The Black Dog Institute recommends

Booking an appointment

It is really important that you speak with someone so please make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible so you can talk about ways to improve your wellbeing! If you do not have a mental health clinician, your GP can help you organise an appointment with a clinical Psychologist and/or a psychiatrist.

Monitoring your progress

To make the most of your visit to your GP and/or mental health clinician, we recommend completing a daily mood chart.

At the same time each day use the chart by rating your level of mood and/or worries on a scale of 1-10, where 1 is the worst and 10 is the best. You may like to rate your mood and/or worry level in the morning and evening if there is noticeable change during the day. You can also monitor your mood online using myCompass.

And don't forget if you ever feel really down or worried you can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

If you feel very distressed and are having thoughts of harming yourself call the self-harm service on 1300 659 467 or triple zero (000).